DICT says Anonymous PH behind 'Black Mask March'

Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said Monday that the group ''Anonymous PH'' was behind the Black Mask protest on Sunday.

During a press briefing, Aguda said this was based on the intelligence information gathered by the agency. He said the government already has persons of interest following the violent demonstration in Manila City. 

''Una sa lahat, malinaw ang direktiba ng Pangulo – igalang at protektahan ang karapatan ng bawat Pilipino sa mapayapang pagtitipon at malayang pagpapahayag. Kaugnay nito, nitong weekend nagkaroon ng malawakang kilos-protesta. Kabilang ang tinatawag na “Black Mask March,” ito iyong mga ‘Team Itim’ na nasabi nga ni Usec. Claire,'' Aguda said.

(First of all, the directive of the President is clear – respect and protect the rights of every individual amid these protest actions. In relation to this, huge demonstrations were initiated this weekend. This included the Black Mask March or the Team Itim that was mentioned by Usec. Claire.) 

''Ito ay unang kumalat mula sa grupong ‘Anonymous PH,’ ito po’y isang aktibong activist na grupo. Nakikipag-ugnayan po ako doon sa mga tao sa Anonymous PH, hindi pa po sila nagdi-disavow kung sila nga o hindi sila iyong gumawa nito pero may mga persons of interest na po tayo na minamatyagan,'' he added.

GMA News Online reached out to Anonymous PH for comment and will publish it once available.

Act of terrorism?

For his part, Philippine National Police chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that it is still being determined if what transpired in Manila City could be considered as an act of terrorism.

''It will be the result of the continuing investigation as iyong ebidensiya po ay tinitingnan natin. So, that’s why maybe it can lead to terrorism or violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act,'' Nartatez said.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla was asked if law enforcers received an intelligence report that a terror group wanted to sabotage the rallies. He answered in the affirmative, noting that it was a local terror group. 

''Yes, that is why all contingencies were considered,'' Remulla said.

''The threat of the terrorist was more of a bomb that would go off in Luneta or in the People Power Monument,'' Remulla added. —AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News